[VIDEO] Ambidextrous spin wizard: Australia U19's Nivethan Radhakrishnan

[MenInG]

Not only can he bowl from either arm - he is actually good!

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[MenInG]

Bit more on his recent performance at the U19 CWC

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But while Amory was impressive, it was Australia’s Nivethan Radhakrishnan who will attract the most attention thanks to a return of 3/48 from his ten overs. The Sydney-based spinner was the only Australian to bowl his full allocation, and he did so while showcasing his stunning ambidextrous ability.

Radhakrishnan can bowl to a high standard both as a right-arm off-break bowler and as a left-arm orthodox spinner, and he did so to great effect in Guyana, leaving the West Indies bamboozled at times with his variety. A big turner to bowl Johann Layne through the gate was the pick of his three wickets on the day, and he’ll likely be a star attraction for much of the tournament.

 

[Last Monetarist]

This is amazing, it's honestly hard to tell whether he bowls better finger spin with the right or left arm.

Seem to remember a Sri Lankan bowler who was ambidextrous but he faded away a few years ago.

 

[Justcrazy]

These kind of gimicks does not last long , sooner or later they fade away.

 

[ElRaja]

useful at age grade level, margin for error at international level is so small that even if one hand is maybe 90% of the other in skill terms its pbly still not international quality.

 

[MenInG]

Interesting background:

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[shariqnoor]

Reminds me of myself. I used to practice bowling left-arm spin a lot despite already being a right handed leggie. I wasn't naturally ambidextrous but I bowled over a 1000 deliveries with my left-hand that I started to become good at it. But later I realized that my left-arm spin was about 90% bowling speed than what I could bowl with my right and decided that 90% is just simply not good enough. Discarded bowling left. But I'm sure if I did some workouts and did strength training, my left-arm spin could've become as good as right-arm spin. Not sure if being ambidextrous helps in white-ball cricket. Could work in Asian spinning conditions in Test cricket though.

 

[Titan24]

While its an impressive talent to be able to ball from both right and left hand but, not sure its something that alone can have a big impact in cricket other than maybe one player giving two reasonable spin bowling options to the captain. Looks like a decent spinner but, the x-factor he has of bowling with two hands isnt alone enough to make him into some big thing in cricket. Will have to see how he develops.

I personally believe skills like accuracy and prodigious spin/revs on the ball would be something eye catching with regards to the potential impact one can have on the game (Warne, Murali) or maybe an offie who can efficiently ball the doosra (Like Saqlain used to deliver). Currently not many around.

 

[sweep_shot]

This is quite unique but it is all about quality of his bowling at the end of the day.

These kind of gimicks does not last long , sooner or later they fade away.

I agree. Look at what happened to Ajantha Mendis or Sunil Narine. Gimmicks don't last for too long.

 

[silentkiller187]

Seems like the number 1 ambidextrous bowler at the moment, could be a useful gimmick in the various pyjama leagues across the world , 2 for the price of 1 , but as many have stated the gimmick will die out soon if he ever makes it past age grade cricket.